Mayrun

Hi guys

My standard brakes on my MY00 Impreza GT are horrible (4 pot, 294mm disk if I remember right)
what are my upgrade options otherwise then buying a big brake kit (assuming I keep running 16" alloys)

domino555

Depends on what sort of money you plan on spending,

You could go a set of used Brembo's from an STi, but you'll need rims that will clear them.

Setright

How long since you renovated the 4-pots?

A new seal kit, Subaru part no. 26297FA051, and a quick polish of the pistons will seem them all running smoothy again.

You might be surprised to find that one or two pistons are stuck...per caliper.

From there, it's a set of good discs (Subaru genuine are good, but a set of discs from a good company EBC, DBA could also be recommmend) and some good pads. Ferodo DS2500, or if you want similar perfomance, at slightly fewer ££'s Mintex M1144 or M1155. Be aware that Mintex do have a tendency to squeal more than others, but they work!!


(Personally, I cannot recommend EBC pads, the discs are good, but the pads are not. At least not for my mix of road and trackdays. I am sure many people are pleased with EBC on the daily run.)


Pads like Mintex 1155 or Ferodo DS3000 have been baked in production, and will not "float" on a gas pillow when they get hot, so grooved/drilled discs aren't really necessary. I run 1155 on Subaru discs...works a charm, as long as the temp outside is above 5-10 degrees C.

If what you are looking for is a brake setup that will stand the car on it's front bumper, from cold...on moderate brake pedal pressure, go for M1144

Mayrun

Since we do not have any legal motor sports tracks here yet,
I mostly use my car for daily drive and participate in track days once in 4-5 month.

Before I invest any further money into current brake setup,
I'd like to know what performance gain can I gain using stock calipers?
Aren't they some kind of crap?

Thanks

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Speak to this guy High Performance Brakes - Supplying AP and Brembo brake kits for road and motorsport use see what he can do for you he can either overhaul them or supply bigger brakes.

Setright

No, the 4 pot "Subaru" calipers aren't crap.

They were the answer to the true complaints that the 2-pot sliding calipers, with 277mm discs weren't good enough.

The 4-pots lived on to the 2001 Bugeye and 2004 Blobeye...but those cars are 240kg heavier than a 2000 GT...and here the 4 pots become lacking.


Naturally, big diameter brake discs, and huge calipers can provide even more braking power for your GT, but you need to ask yourself if you really need it.

Forget not the disadvantage of fitting bigger discs: Larger rotating mass that will mess with your turn-in.

his-n-her-scoobs

iTrader: (5)

As Setright suggests, check your current brakes are working correctly before condeming them.

I upgraded both my MY97 cars to 4 pots and ventilated rears (standard discs and pads, backplates removed) with goodridge hoses for feel. Regular use on a 28 mile cross country sprint at 5 in the morning (no traffic ) has cooked the fronts so much that the laquer has peeled off the wheels. No complaints here LOL

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

You can get a kit here: High Performance Brakes - Supplying AP and Brembo brake kits for road and motorsport use which uses your 4-pot calipers, but bigger discs and better pads. It's probably the cheapest option for you.

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

If he keeps his 16" wheels as in his original post , they wont fit , you need 17" wheels for this kit
Cheers Ian

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

An AP 4 Pot kit will fit behind your 16" alloys and work very well both on road and track.

Or you could move up to 17" and fit STi Brembo calipers.

bigfootjim76

iTrader: (1)

you didnt mention how much you want to spend ,but id start with checking your 4 pots to make sure they are working ok with no sticking pistons and if need be have them refubed ,ian @ godspeed did a smashing job on mine, then fit braided hose's and new fuild with a brake stopper (not fitted one but have read good things about them)

stedee

iTrader: (4)

ditto , braided hoses and a stopper made a hell of a difference to mine, previous car mind

Mayrun

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies.

Apparently I wasn't lucky enough to have another problem which is the gearbox (one or few bearings has gone bad).

Since that face I've decided my car will be no longer be daily driven.
I'll upgrade to STI 6 hardened gearbox and stay with the stock calipers but with upgraded discs and pads.

I would like to hear some pad recommendations for a weekend car that occasionally visits tracks (as they are currently illegal here )

Thank you again.

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

Hi
The Ferodo DS2500 pads or Mintex M1155 are about the best all round pads for the use you will be having , and will take quite a bit of track abuse , these are £155 and £120 , if it was used very hard , and only for weekends you could fit the Ferodo DS3000's , I use these in my type R rally car and they are very very good , but very hard on discs , they will wear your discs out in about 3-4000 miles , as they are a hard disc , the metal from the discs wearing down leaves deposits on the wheels , and the side of you car which goes rusty in the rain , so they will need cleaing more frequently , I repaint my wheels after every rally which is a bit of a pita ! The DS3000's are £165 a set

Hope this helps
Cheers Ian